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Nalimov & Lomonosov tablebase endgame training
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euro_pop_legend
21-May-23, 17:52

Nalimov & Lomonosov tablebase endgame training
I have briefly covered the Nalimov table bases in another club post as well as the Lomonosov bases.

In a nutshell,the Nav as well as the Lomo provide a computerized database of either 6 or 7 piece chess endgame positions using what is called "retrograde analysis"that work in reverse from a checkmated position.This is a total of 6 or 7 piece ending,NOT 6 or 7 pieces on both sides that would total to more than 6 or 7 pieces.The database will give you the results in win,loss or draw for either side,given "perfect"play and optimal moves.Note that the key words of "perfect play" and "optimal moves" is important because it does not mean,for example,that you are going to lose,win or draw that 6 or 7 piece ending if Mr.Nalimov says so!Yes,if you are playing AGAINST or in conjunction with a Nav or Lomo,but not necessarily against Joe Smith!See?I've seen a draw or mate alert on over 40 moves generated from the bases,which is pretty amazing.That means,no matter how well you play,even if you were using a supercomputer program with 100 cores,you would still lose the game if MR Nalimov says so in 40 moves or less!!!So,basically chess endings HAVE BEEN SOLVED with 100% precise accuracy,if it is a 6 or 7 piece ending.More than 7 pieces....not yet anyway.

More on the tablebases from Wiki:

en.wikipedia.org

And again,here are 2 links with the Nalimov and the Lomonosov for a quick reference:

chessok.com
tb7.chessok.com

Take note that the 6 piece tablebases are free and the 7 piece tablebases are not free.You either have to buy some additional software(like from chessok)or become a VIP member and access a mainframe elsewhere for the 7 piece endings.More info provided in the links directly above.

So,now,what about the title of my post..."training"?

First of all,understand that using a Nav or Lomo are illegal to use DURING any GK ongoing live games with your opponents.The exception to this GK rule,is if you are playing an UNRATED game with your opponent and clearly tell your opponent that you will using a Nav or Lomo for game study in the endgame(if it comes down to a 6 or 7 piece ending).

So the training comes into play either between you and the tablebases or between you and another human opponent.

There are many choices.You could,for example,set up a 6 piece ending for yourself from a past game on GK.Or a random 6 piece ending game you thought up yourself....any piece combinations.After you move,say,your white Knight,the Nalimov will tell you that you will win in,say 13 moves and the Nav will show you the progression of those 13 moves.BUT you could experiment,and move ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE,no matter what 13 move generator is produced by the Nav.What happens then,is that after you plug in a totally different move,the Nav will generate another combination of 13 moves that may be totally different than the previous one.

So,its a learning experience as you try different moves at winning the game.It might turn into a mate in 17 instead of the perfect 13 move mate as generated by the Nav,but its a way to see why your move took 17 moves to mate instead of 13...see?In losing situations and draws...the same thing.You can experiment with different moves on your own or REPLACE that Knight with a Bishop and see if it would have made any difference in the win,loss or draw dept!

Use your imagination!The Nalimov tablebase is a great learning tool,not just a program to see end results with optimal play.None of us,even me,are perfect endgame players like the Nav or Lomo.But "perfect players" have the capability of teaching us!

The 7 piece Lomo is an excellent investment,depending upon your needs,curiosities,learning desires and what you can afford.If you will not invest any $$,then,the 6 piece Nalimov is for you and it is always free.
euro_pop_legend
21-May-23, 17:53

Clarification from my above post...
"So,basically chess endings HAVE BEEN SOLVED with 100% precise accuracy,if it is a 6 or 7 piece ending.More than 7 pieces....not yet anyway."Let me just clarify that many standard chess programs(like Houdini)can give you a mate in "X"amount of moves even with 20 pieces on the board or more.But the difference with a Nav or Lomo it will tell you instantly any combination of 6 or 7 piece ending results.Not all chess programs will give you immediate and instantaneous game results on 6 or 7 piece ending.Many programs will continue to analyze for long periods of time and still be a bit unclear as to the end result.It may,for example,give you a +10 on your side(using Rybka),but not necessarily a "perfect road" to mate as the Nalimov or Lomo will instantly do for you.

See the difference?



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